Month: September 2014

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. [2] I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. Paul met with influential leaders about this false doctrine that was being preached. If the other apostles did not confirm his message and renounce the false teachers, it would be very hard … Read More

Paul Accepted by the Apostles 2 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers … Read More

Meeting in Jerusalem As we continue the Inductive Bible Study method let’s observe Galatians 2: 10. Let’s observe this passage asking ourselves who, what, when, and where. Oftentimes studying the Bible is as simple is asking yourself who, what, when, and where. Background: This takes us to a meeting in Jerusalem which may seem distant from the concerns of 21st-century Christians. But in fact, the stakes could not have been higher- it was a meeting which had huge consequences for us all, even today. And, as we’ll see, God protected … Read More

Gal 1:10 (NIV) Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. Do you spend your life trying to please everybody? Paul had to speak harshly to the Christians in Galatia because they were in serious danger. He did not apologize for his straightforward words, knowing that he could not serve Christ faithfully if he allowed the Galatian Christians to remain on the … Read More

Paul spends Galatians 1:10-24 defending his right to share the unadulterated gospel that he had received. His goal in spreading the Good News was not to please men. He refused to give people the loyalty or influence over his life that was reserved for his Master alone. He also wanted them to know that the gospel he’d shared wasn’t something he’d thought up on his own nor gotten from anyone else (though it was the same gospel that the other Apostles shared), but instead it came by Jesus’ direct revelation. … Read More

Four Keys to Context Any correct interpretation and application of Bible passages starts with observing the context. In today’s media saturated world, comments made by influential people are regularly taken out of context to mean something that was never intended. To see something in context, you must get an overview of what you are observing, seeing, or hearing. When understanding Bible context, look for 4, overarching keys to determine Scripture context. Start with the big picture (all of scripture and God’s overarching purpose to save all of mankind) Then, … Read More

10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Paul Called by God 11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently … Read More

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the One who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.” (v. 6-7) There’s nothing wrong with having questions. We all have questions we would like to ask God. But some people get so caught up in “Why”, they never get anything settled. And this is what happened … Read More

Galatians 1:1-9 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say … Read More

Greeting 1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. No Other Gospel 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and … Read More